TonyWilliams
Well-known member
I know folks keep clinging to a new 2013 with whatever upgrade that makes their LEAF experience better. The best Nissan will offer is a 25% cheaper battery, by virtue of the Yen to Dollar exchange rate.
Tuesday, Oct 2, 2012: Andy Palmer, executive vice president at Nissan, said the company had NO PLANS to upgrade the purely electric Leaf with a new, longer-range battery, or NO PLANS to add an active temperature management system for its battery packs. Mr. Palmer, at a press briefing on Tuesday in Lower Manhattan, discussed the automaker’s E.V. strategy in light of recent attacks aimed at the program.
Reacting to criticism from a group of Leaf owners in Arizona claiming their batteries lost a measure of charging capacity more quickly than expected, Nissan announced last month it would convene an advisory board to improve the company’s engagement with the E.V. community. Mr. Palmer said the 2013 Leaf, scheduled to begin production soon in Smyrna, Tenn., would include many small improvements, but NO MAJOR CHANGES.
Please don't wait around for a 2013 because of the battery issues. It will be the same. If you need a heat pump, or optional 6.6kW charger, or optional leather interior, or dark color interior option, or an additional color option, or "North American design cues", then wait for Feb/Mar 2013 when those cars finally reach the dealers to buy/lease.
Nissan really needs to unload the 2012's. With almost 4 months supply in dealerships, they are almost giving these cars away. Go get one if you can't wait, or don't need the 2013 options. If you think the price of the car will significantly drop below today's price, that's your gamble. I don't believe it will (beyond the fantastic deals we have now).
Nissan is going to EAT these lease returns with $17k-$18k residuals, when those cars won't be worth close to that with clapped out batteries (remember, they are the same battery probably for 2014, too).
Tuesday, Oct 2, 2012: Andy Palmer, executive vice president at Nissan, said the company had NO PLANS to upgrade the purely electric Leaf with a new, longer-range battery, or NO PLANS to add an active temperature management system for its battery packs. Mr. Palmer, at a press briefing on Tuesday in Lower Manhattan, discussed the automaker’s E.V. strategy in light of recent attacks aimed at the program.
Reacting to criticism from a group of Leaf owners in Arizona claiming their batteries lost a measure of charging capacity more quickly than expected, Nissan announced last month it would convene an advisory board to improve the company’s engagement with the E.V. community. Mr. Palmer said the 2013 Leaf, scheduled to begin production soon in Smyrna, Tenn., would include many small improvements, but NO MAJOR CHANGES.
Please don't wait around for a 2013 because of the battery issues. It will be the same. If you need a heat pump, or optional 6.6kW charger, or optional leather interior, or dark color interior option, or an additional color option, or "North American design cues", then wait for Feb/Mar 2013 when those cars finally reach the dealers to buy/lease.
Nissan really needs to unload the 2012's. With almost 4 months supply in dealerships, they are almost giving these cars away. Go get one if you can't wait, or don't need the 2013 options. If you think the price of the car will significantly drop below today's price, that's your gamble. I don't believe it will (beyond the fantastic deals we have now).
Nissan is going to EAT these lease returns with $17k-$18k residuals, when those cars won't be worth close to that with clapped out batteries (remember, they are the same battery probably for 2014, too).